GIR'S KEPNER INDUCTED INTO EAST COAST DRAG RACING HALL OF FAME

MADISON, Ill. - There are two things fans can expect when attending a drag race at Gateway
International Raceway: great action and Bret Kepner there to provide spot-on analysis and
amazing photography. Kepner's years of dedication to the sport was recognized when he was
inducted into the East Coast Drag Racing Hall of Fame as the Wally Parks Motorsports
Statesman of the Year Oct. 21 in Henderson, N.C.

"Bret's talent and love for the sport of drag racing has benefited everyone who has
been to a drag race he was at," GIR Vice President and General Manager Lenny Batycki
said. "Bret's seemingly nitro-powered passion for drag racing comes out in his
abilities as a racer, announcer and photographer. Congratulations from all of us at
Gateway International Raceway."

Kepner has attended literally thousands of drag racing events since his first, the
inaugural NHRA Summernationals at York, PA, in 1970. His journalism career began at age 18
with editor Jim Kelly of Super Stock & Drag Illustrated magazine and continued with SS&DI
through its demise 22 years later. His stories have appearned in over 50 publications
throughout the country and he has announced dozens of NHRA, AHRA, IHRA, and UDRA national
events. The drag-racing guru has also appeared in more than 700 television shows as a
motorsports commentator since 1984.

An accomplished bracket racers, Kepner is an NHRA National Record Holder in Stock
Eliminator. He also operates a free bracket racing school at Gateway International Raceway
and is the track's official drag-racing photography. His photos can be found at
BretKepnerPhotos.com.

"Most of my education in drag racing came from watching Bret on television when I was
a kid," GIR Drag Strip Manager Jason Dukes said. "I've learned a ton from him
and am grateful for everything he's done for Gateway and for me personally."

"He must've bought 'em off," said Drag Racing Online Editor Jeff Burk, jokingly.
"He's dedicated his life to drag racing since he was 16 and no one cares about drag
racing like Bret Kepner. He deserves this."


Brandon W. Mudd
Manager, Public and Media Relations
Gateway International Raceway
700 Raceway Blvd.
P.O. Box 200
Madison, IL 62060
(618) 482-2495-office
(618) 482-3919-fax
bmudd@gatewayraceway.com
www.gatewayraceway.com